US 2011/0212757 A1Published application

Smart capacitive detection sensor system

OwnerWilbert Quinc Murdock, Philip Alister Williamsinventors

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Abstract

An apparatus that wirelessly integrates actual golf equipment with a computer to allow players to engage in a competitive real sport such as golf. This system includes motion sensing devices, smart golf clubs, and golf ball receptacles all containing circuits and contact sensors coupled with signal processing and radio frequency transmitter circuitry to thereby wirelessly communicate game performance information to a remote receiver-computer. This invention uses the electric field of a capacitive plate for sensing object proximity, motion and composition. More particularly, the invention relates to a system wherein an objects physical geometry, spatial orientation and motion, and an environmental change of state can be detected via a change in the dielectric of a capacitor array. This invention also uses the coupling of sports equipment and a computer to communicate information wirelessly to a personal computer and thereby, if desired, to the internet. An individual player may opt to play solo or practice to improve basic golfing techniques. The system employs specially developed computer software to process player performance data, control game play, communicate game information, generate and control visual simulations, and display player performance information.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A golf club or sports implement motion sensing and direction detection device, comprising:

a plurality of motion sensors uniformity distributed upon or proximate to a device surface area;
and
a communications circuit connected with a plurality of sensors to transmit an electromagnetic signal upon one or more of the sensors detecting club motion over the device.
means for acquiring information of a ball-club contact event from a first array of sensors and transmitting these data via a first communications link wirelessly to a receiver for analysis by a first computer;
means for detecting digitally coded wireless transmissions from data derived from data acquired from said first communications link and said first and second contact sensor arrays encompassing a golf ball receptacle, golf club spatial orientation device, or a golf club motion sensing plate, remotely connected to said means for acquiring information of a ball-club contact event from a first array of sensors and transmitting these data via a first communications link wirelessly to a receiver for analysis by a first computer;
and
means for a second computer programmed to communicate with one or more said first computers. a third communications link for transmitting data derived from data acquired by said first computers to said second computer. a fourth communications link for transmitting data derived from said data acquired by said second computer to said first computers. wherein said second computer is programmed to cause the transfer of local player events from a remote player site to one or more remote player sites for presentation to said remote players, notify players when it is their respective turn to play, measure player time delays, disconnect remote player sites with excessive time delays, and conduct an internet search for other opponents if the remaining players wish to continue to play. at each remote player site, the computer under the control of the golfing system program, monitors and controls initialization and the sequential play of the golf game, or alternatively, the individual player practice session, electrically connected to said means for detecting digitally coded wireless transmissions from data derived from data acquired from said first communications link and said first and second contact sensor arrays encompassing a golf ball receptacle, golf club spatial orientation device, or a golf club motion sensing plate.

4 more elements

An apparatus comprising:

a member subject to accumulation of frozen material;
a first electrode at least partially surrounding the member;
a second electrode at least partially surrounding the member and located at a first distance from the first electrode, the second electrode forming a capacitive element with the first electrode;
an electric field sensor having a first electrode terminal coupled to the first electrode and providing an electric field output value representative of an amount of frozen material formed on the member between the first and second electrodes;
a first insulating layer at least partially surrounding the first electrode;
a first conductive layer at least partially surrounding the first insulating layer, wherein a shield output of the electric field sensor is coupled to the first conductive layer;
a second insulating layer at least partially surrounding the second electrode;
and a second conductive layer at least partially surrounding the second insulating layer, wherein the shield output of the electric field sensor is coupled to the second conductive layer;
a third insulating layer at least partially surrounding the member, the third insulating layer between the member and the first electrode;
a third conductive layer at least partially surrounding the member, the third conductive layer between the member and the third insulating layer, wherein the shield output of the electric field sensor is coupled to the third conductive layer;
a fourth insulating layer at least partially surrounding the member, the fourth insulating layer between the member and the third conductive layer;
a fifth insulating layer at least partially surrounding the member, the fifth insulating layer between the member and the second electrode;
a fourth conductive layer at least partially surrounding the member, the fourth conductive layer between the member and the fifth insulating layer, wherein the shield output of the electric field sensor is coupled to the fourth conductive layer;
and a sixth insulating layer at least partially surrounding the member, the sixth insulating layer between the member and the fourth conductive layer.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/799,517Filed 26 Apr 2010
Priority: 12 May 2000
Published: 1 Sep 2011
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification84 codes

A63B 69/36
Training appliances or apparatus for special sports: for golf
A61B 5/0205
Detecting, measuring or recording for evaluating the cardiovascular system, e.g. pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow: simultaneously…
A61B 5/11
Measuring devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes: measuring…
A61B 5/6895
Mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices: sport equipment